Budget Bytes Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup Food

SLOW COOKER BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the beans and add them to the slow cooker. No need to soak. If you want to soak the beans overnight, you can, but drain the beans before starting the recipe.
• Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, ham hock, onion, jalapeno, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, and pepper. WAIT TO ADD THE CILANTRO AND SALT.
• Cover and cook on HIGH for 7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
• Remove the ham hock onto a plate, remove any meat you can find off the ham hock, shred and put into the beans. (note that sometimes there is no meat on a ham hock, do fret, your beans are fine without this).
• Add the cilantro, stir
• Taste for salt, adding the desired amount.
• Serve and enjoy!

SLOW-COOKER BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the beans, onion, garlic, chipotle chile and sauce, cumin, bay leaves and/or oregano, and baking soda, if using. Add 6 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low until the beans are tender, 8 to 10 hours. Taste more than one bean to ensure they're all cooked through; they should also flatten without much effort when pressed between your fingers.
• Remove and compost the bay leaves. Transfer the onion, garlic and chipotle chile to a blender or food processor, along with about 2 cups of the beans and broth. (You can purée more or less of the soup, depending on desired consistency.) Blend until smooth. Pour puréed soup back into the slow cooker, stir in the vinegar, then season to taste with salt. Eat with desired toppings.